Level 1

24 points

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air no longer compatible after latest iTunes update 12.7.4.76

I recently updated to the latest iTunes 12.7.4.76.

Now I can no longer connect my Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air over WIFI as it says it is no longer compatible with this version of iTunes.

This is no doubt an issue with the update as I have changed nothing ie: router, computer etc, this literally was an issue after the update my other devices connect fine so i believe it is specific to the B&W speaker.

I contacted apple and was told (pretty much it is bowers & Wilkins fault and to contact them).

I found this hard to believe believe as like I said nothing has been changed or altered with my setup (other than the most recent update) but I contacted them anyway.

I was told by an agent at B&W that they have had reports of this issue too and have done some research only to see various posts in forums etc. that the latest iTunes update has lots of problems/bugs that need to be addressed.

My view is that if apple are aware of this (surely a company as large as they are would/should be) why is nothing being done to address it?

If anyone knows how to fix this problem please let me know because apple don't seem to bothered (well not when I called anyway).

Thanks

null-OTHER, Windows 7, Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air

Posted on Apr 10, 2018 9:27 AM

Top-ranking reply

valmont74

Level 1

28 points

Posted on Aug 16, 2018 4:32 AM

I got the answer and a workaround from B&W:

We have heard of this issue, and we are looking into it.

However, we are fairly certain that the problem is not caused by the speaker but rather a change made to iTunes from v12.7.4.76 and later.

There is nothing we at the moment can do to solve this, but we have found a temporary workaround – at least for those using MAC.

Here is what to do:

Do not use the standard iTunes control panel to choose which speaker to play from

Instead – open iTunes as normal

Click on the speaker icon in the top bar meny on your Mac

You will find the Zeppelin Air in the drop-down menu. Choose it by clicking on the speaker's name

If you now go back to iTunes you will see that the program also has chosen the Zeppelin Air as speaker

Press play in iTunes and playback via the Zeppelin Air should commence

The only drawback that I have found with this method is that you will have to relate to two different volume controls – the one in iTunes and the in the Mac.

Both will adjust volume, and if one is all the way down no music will be heard.

My recommendation is that you set the volume control that you normally do not use to approximately 75% and then use your preferred volume control to change playback volume.

Doing this will allow you to change volume from no sound up to 75% (setting the not-preffered volume control to max will allow you to control playback volume from no sound to max volume using the other volume control)

Hope this makes sense and that the workaround also works in your setup.

I would appreciate if you could let me know if it does – and also if it does not.

They're quite quick to point out that it's iTunes fault and that they cannot do anything about it - yes, iTunes made changes, but I also think B&W can make a firmware update to solve this.

I will try this workaround tonight. Have anyone else tried this?

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67 replies

Nov 7, 2018 7:04 AM in response to leroy50

Works for me if I choose my speaker in preferences instead of iTunes

Nov 13, 2018 8:15 AM in response to jensche21

Indeed. It works now 10.14.2 fixed it. Thanks (for some reason I deleted my beta updates)

Dec 19, 2018 7:50 AM in response to FormerGeek

Did you update to the latest ITunes (version 12.9.2.6)? After updating you should see the Icon for the Zeppelin.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,103 points

May 11, 2018 8:58 AM in response to Mark Anderson5

There was a new release of iTunes, 12.7.4.80, that might not show up in software update for you. You can download it directly from Apple at iTunes - Download iTunes Now - Apple or see iTunes for Mac installers. If it doesn't work then going back to 12.7.3.46 is probably the only reliable workaround.

tt2

Aug 13, 2018 3:26 AM in response to Colelondon

I use a Zeppelin Air 30 pin model and had no problems with the previous iTunes versions, it was the Mac OS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 that killed AirPlay for me. Rolling back to two previous iTunes versions didn't help, so I figure the problem lies within the new 10.13.6 version that doesn't play with the latest (2015!) Zeppelin Air firmware 2.04.05 (9112).

Nov 1, 2018 12:01 PM in response to leroy50

Great News! I just installed Mac OS 10.14.2 Beta (18C31g) and iTunes AirPlay connection to B&W Zeppelin Air is now working.

May 11, 2018 8:49 AM in response to leroy50

Same problem. Both Macs (2016 iMac and 2013 MBAir , both on 10.12.6) either report Zeppelin Air (old connector type) is incompatible with this version of iTunes or that the Zeppelin can't be detected. But it is on, on the network and my iPhone X *can* stream to the speaker. IOW, the problem seems to be with 12.7.4 iTunes changes in the Mac: Airplay works from phone, router can see/communicate with speaker.

Tried power cycling the speaker - no joy. Before updating iTunes as part of recent security updates, the speaker worked fine.

Phoned UK store today and person answering 'unaware' of the problem. Odd.

May 15, 2018 3:41 AM in response to Mark Anderson5

B&W have acknowledged this is now a 'known' problem re iTunes 12.7 breaking Airplay. They have raised the issue with Apple and ... are awaiting response. I'd love to think this will result in an iTunes update soon but not holding my breath.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,103 points

May 11, 2018 10:33 AM in response to Mark Anderson5

As noted, you have to try rolling back to the last build where it worked. Use Feedback - iTunes - Apple to let Apple know about the issue and contact B&W as well.

tt2

Nov 13, 2018 4:20 AM in response to leroy50

Happily the fixes this in Mojave 10.14.2 (Beta). yeah... Finally. Its working again. Yeah.

May 30, 2018 7:41 AM in response to Mark Anderson5

I'm totally with you. I cannot access my Zeppelin Air via my computer, but I can from my iPhone and iOS devices. A "little" frustrating to say the least. That being said, thank you for pointing out that we can still stream from our iOS devices that at least is helpful.

Jul 10, 2018 12:02 AM in response to leroy50

Upgraded to iTunes 12.8 today and Mac OS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 (17G65) and hoped for the best. I was disappointed, no change. I can still play through airplay from the OS but not from iTunes. I have contacted Bowers and Wilkins in both Australia for an update and in the UK. But given the standard brush off... engineers are looking into it.

I have a l have a Libratone speaker bought about a month after the Zeppelin air and it still works flawless with iTunes. I think of the cost of this the consumer experience is terrible. But both Apple and Bowers and Wilkins have my money so I guess why should they care ! Frustrating to say the least.

As for Bowers and Wilkins... if you enter the wireless speaker market be prepared to support the device as technology changes. That means a cycle of constant development and testing for the applications that work with it. If you can't be bothered or prepared to invest in this... then don't venture into the market. The last firmware update for the Zeppelin 30 pin model was over 3 years ago in 2015 !!.

Aug 1, 2018 2:04 PM in response to Bob in Spain

Same issue here withe zeppelin 30pins. works fine with the iphone6 but the mcbookpro is unable to connect. It recognises it but when i select it ,it says no output device . Also when i try to connect the zeppelin via itunes the airplay symbol is showing but then itunes display " unknown error code 20"

Seems an extended issue over zeppelin users, hope apple will push a fix soon :)

Aug 17, 2018 3:32 AM in response to valmont74

This was the same for me. Although this post is in the iTunes for Windows section, this happens for mac users as well. And on Mac OS High Sierra you can't roll back iTunes as it's a system file that cannot be deleted or overwritten, even from a Time Machine Backup

I have other Airplay speakers as well and they work flawlessly. I feel that for Mac users this is an issue with the latest iTunes update as I have been running High Sierra for some time now without issues and have only found this to be the case when iTunes was updated.

Oct 21, 2018 6:29 PM in response to BLUEHILLS55

I forgot to add that how I found out about the TuneBlade software was from an article at livewire.com. Here is the link https://www.lifewire.com/where-to-get-airplay-for-windows-2000736.

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Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air no longer compatible after latest iTunes update 12.7.4.76